Stories from Sunday, May 23, 2004

Project seeks to save some construction history(05/23/04)SIKESTON - It's a rare case of including the old in the new, a way to "save a bit of the past and keep it for the future," said downtown Sikeston property owner Ned Matthews. Built in 1941, Matthews' building on the corner of South Kingshighway and Greer is antiquated and will soon be, for the most part, nothing but a memory: Frank Ferrell's company should have it demolished sometime in June...

After nearly fatal car crash, Parma teen is one glad grad(05/23/04)PARMA -- Kelli Underwood knows she's lucky to even set foot on the stage of the New Madrid County Central High School gym. After surviving a nearly fatal car accident four months ago, the 18-year-old from Parma admits she's just happy to be able to attend her high school graduation on Tuesday night...

Dexter men electrocuted in residential accident(05/23/04)DEXTER - Two men lost their lives in an accident inside a Dexter home. The Dexter Police Department, Stoddard County Emergency Medical Service and the Dexter Fire Department responded to an emergency call Friday at 506 W. Bain St. in Dexter. A man had called 911 and told the dispatcher that he had a contractor in his attic and that he believed the contractor had touched a "hot" wire...

Jones makes qualifying for state routine(05/23/04)SIKESTON - The Sikeston High School tennis program has produced plenty of standouts over the years. But there may not be a more successful Bulldog tennis player than senior Peter Jones, who recently qualified for his fourth state tournament appearance...

Atchison becomes first Sikeston golf medalist since '99(05/23/04)SIKESTON -- The third time was a charm for Sikeston's E. C. Atchison. On his third trip to the Missouri high school golf championships, Atchison, a Sikeston High School junior, finished in the top 15 to earn Class 3 All-State honors and become the school's first state medalist since Ryan Griggs placed fourth in 1999. Atchison finished in a tie for 12th...

DeWitt selected to play in All-American Game in June(05/23/04)SIKESTON - High School baseball followers in Southeast Missouri are very familiar with the exploits of Sikeston's Blake DeWitt. The senior has been terrorizing teams with his bat and his arm for the last four years, so any acclaim DeWitt gets in the area doesn't come as a shock...

Geneva Wagoner(05/23/04)CHAFFEE - Geneva Gardiner Wagoner, 78, died at 12:50 p.m. May 20, 2004, at her home. Born Feb. 3, 1926, in Dutchtown, daughter of the late Albert and Hermina Lenora Simpher Gardiner, she was a foreman for Florsheim Shoe Company before retiring. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Sisters of St. Ambrose and United Transportation Union Ladies Auxiliary...

Elmer Hopkins(05/23/04)CAPE GIRARDEAU - Elmer Dwight Hopkins, 98, formerly of Bloomfield, died May 21, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. Born Oct. 28, 1905, in Bloomfield, son of the late James and Vesta Hopkins, he had lived in the Bloomfield area most of his life. He owned and operated the Hopkins IGA grocery store in Bloomfield for more than 40 years and was a member and deacon for the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield...

Dollie Jenkins(05/23/04)DEXTER - Dollie Jones Jenkins, 85, died May 22, 2004, at her home.
Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Lena Ancell(05/23/04)CHAFFEE - Lena Lou Ancell, 58, died at 4:40 p.m. May 20, 2004, at her home. Born Dec. 2, 1946, in Delta, daughter of the late Elery Lee and Lora Delo Dunn Hodge, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Chaffee. Survivors include: two sons, Kevin Ancell of Memphis, Tenn., and Keith Ancell of Chaffee; one daughter, Christy Lamb of Blytheville, Ark.; three brothers, Thomas Hodge of Jackson, John Hodge of Kennett and Richard Hodge of Chaffee; one sister, Nelda Gross of Jackson; and two grandchildren.. ...

Billy Walpole(05/23/04)DEXTER - Billy Walpole, 31, died of injuries sustained in an accident at his home.
Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Dan Delplane(05/23/04)BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Dan E. Delplane, 80, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died May 21, 2004, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Blytheville. Born Sept. 28, 1923, in Sikeston, son of the late Rasheo and Ida Mitchem Delplane, he was a World War II veteran and member of Temple Baptist Church in Sikeston. He was employed by the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities for 45 years, where he was supervisor of water and sewer distribution...

Hubert Hudgens Jr.(05/23/04)BLOOMFIELD - Hubert Dale Hudgens Jr., 28, died May 21, 2004, of injuries sustained in an accident in a Dexter residence. Born Dec. 14, 1975, in Dexter, son of Hubert Dale Hudgens Sr. and Debra Bagy Hale of Bloomfield, he lived in the Bloomfield area most of his life. A 1994 graduate of Bloomfield High School, he was a graduate of Lynn Tech College. For the past four years he was a machine operator for Good Humor-Breyers in Sikeston...

Letha O'Dell(05/23/04)DEXTER - Letha P. O'Dell, 95, died May 21, 2004, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born Nov. 18, 1908, near Dexter, daughter of the late Almond and Nancy Robinson Martin, she was a member of the Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church in Dexter. She was employed by Elders Manufacturing for 27 years...

June Stroup(05/23/04)BLOOMFIELD - June Lendon Stroup, 81, died May 21, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Born June 20, 1922, in Bloomfield, son of the late Harvey and Nellie Keating Stroup, he lived in the Bloomfield area all his life. He was a member of Mount Pisgah General Baptist Church in Aquilla...

Sally Harmon(05/23/04)CAPE GIRARDEAU - Sally Arebelle Harmon, 81, formerly of Sikeston, died May 22, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. Arrangements are pending at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today and services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday...

Ballot issue could influence election(05/23/04)A fascinating game of politics is unfolding in Missouri at this very moment. And the outcome of this interesting game may well decide the winner of the gubernatorial race in our state. Heck, it may even help decide the outcome of the presidential race in Missouri. And with stakes that high, this brand of politics is worth watching...

Speakout 5/23(05/23/04)I am a bit curious as to how the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners is on the front page of every newspaper and getting top story headlines. Do not misunderstand this message. It should not have happened but they are prisoners of war. The Iraqi people are beating and murdering American people and it is never even talked about. ...